Emphasis: academic and social development

Child is the center of the classroom

Environment and method encourage
self-discipline

Mainly individual instruction

Mixed age grouping encourages children
to teach and help each other

Child chooses own work

Child works as long as he wishes on a
chosen project

Child sets own learning pace

Child reinforces own learning by repetition of
work and internal feelings of success

Multi-sensory materials for physical exploration

Organized program for learning care of self
and environment (tying shoes, washing dishes)

Emphasis: social development

Teacher is the center of the classroom

Teacher disciplines


Mainly group instruction

Same age grouping with most teaching done
by teacher

Curriculum structured for child

Child generally allotted specific time for work


Instruction pace usually set by group norm

Learning is reinforced externally by repetition
and rewards

Fewer materials for sensory development

Less emphasis on self-care instruction